Splitting Heirs
by Freyda Thomas

Splitting Heirs Book Cover
Splitting Heirs Cover

Highlights

120 mins 18th Century Ensemble Cast Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes Comedy

Synopsis

Eraste is in love with Isabelle, but the only way her mother will let her marry him is if his uncle Geronte names him heir to his fortune, which the miserly old man is doubtful to do.

It’s up to the help of the two servants, Lisette and Crispin, to don disguises and scheme those around them to wed the young lovers, and even have a chance at love themselves.

Loosely based on the eighteenth-century farce by Jean-François Regnard, Freyda Thomas gives even more life to this lesser-known French farce.

Characters

Character
ERASTE

Nephew to GERONTE, bumbling, awkward, shy, loveable, scared of his uncle, madly in love with ISABELLE

ISABELLE

The girl next door. Everything you’ve ever wanted in an ingenue and less. Never says more than three words in a row until the epilogue. Conveys her character in poses. Lisps.

CRISPIN

(Kree-SPAN) Servant to ERASTE, jack-of-all-trades, bon-vivant, master of disguise. Fences, plays a German doctor, a woman and impersonates GERONTE.

LISETTE

Prototype comic maid, servant to GERONTE, in love with Crispin.  Sharp, sassy, plays a man in one scene.

GERONTE

An old, sick miser. Dies several times.

MME. ARGANTE

ISABELLE’S mother. Lady Bracknell in Paris.

POQUELIN

GERONTE’s lawyer. A very short man. (Also Plays the GENDARME).

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
ISBN-13 9780573705618
ISBN-10 0573705615

Splitting Heirs is a comedy play written by Freyda Thomas and published by Samuel French .

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Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur Only
Fee: Minimum Fee: $120 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)

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